Define the topicCommander in chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington developed and led a three-pronged strategic attack on Trenton, New Jersey, in late December 1776, at order to regain the region's dominance. Operational failure would be catastrophic for the American struggle for independence, whereas it previously suffered a substantial defeat in New York and New Jersey was forced to retreat to Pennsylvania. Review the Setting On December 25, 1776, the order was given to cross the Delaware River into New Jersey by ferry from Pennsylvania about nine miles north of Trenton starting at nightfall in disguise. This pivotal moment during the Revolutionary War included a movement of 2,400 American troops, an artillery of 18 guns, horses, and wagons; forces extending over a mile along the line of march. The opposition commanded by Colonel Johann Rall consisted of British (16th Light Dragoons) and German (Hessian) garrisons consisting of approximately 1,400 soldiers with an artillery of 6 light guns. Intelligence suggested that the Hessians would be enjoying a night of celebratory events (Christmas) being vulnerable to attack; have minimal personnel on forward positions surrounding the city. Under the command of General Washington, Major Generals Greene and Sullivan moved both divisions on two separate approach roads toward Trenton from the north, meanwhile just south of Trenton, Generals Cadwalader and Ewing planned to cross the Delaware to check the roads southerners and capture any retreating forces. Due to the amount of ice on the river their elements were unable to make the crossing leaving only the two divisions from the north to assault the Hessian garrison. General Washington was under the impression that... middle of paper... ...ear; the request was rejected due to disbelief that the Americans had forces capable of fighting being on the verge of collapse. However, the British failed to break the American spirit and push for independence. Works Cited Lass, C. (n.d.). Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776). George Washington's Mount Vernon. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.mountvernon.org/educational-resources/encyclopedia/battle-trentonBattle of Trenton. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=230033Search The Writings of George Washington by John C. Fitzpatrick. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-washington?specfile=/texts/english/washington/fitzpatricAmerican Revolution War. (n.d.). The Battle of Trent. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-trenton.htm